SERC welcomes Pakistani visitor in innovative International Skills Partnership

In line with their international strategy, South Eastern Regional College (SERC) has recently collaborated with Pakistan based company, Premier Energy to deliver a unique skills development project through an International Skills Partnership.

As part of the British Council-backed International Skills Partnership, the College recently welcomed Premier Energy’s CMO Ms. Haania Ali to the College to take part in the specialist ‘Train the Trainer’ programme which comprised of multiple modules including; Curriculum Development, Quality Assurance, Training Centre Administration, Customer Service, Employer Engagement, Self-Evaluation Criteria and Admission Procedures.

Earlier in the year, SERC and Premier Energy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) allowing them to work together in the exchange of research and educational materials, publications and academic information as well as providing technical assistance to one another.

SERC’s Lead Business Consultant Paul Henry explains: “SERC is delighted to share our expertise with Premier Energy in this way. Our new partner was incredibly impressed with the UK education system, our facilities, teaching staff and warm hospitality and we are delighted to be supporting them in their ambition to set-up their own vocational training facility back home in Pakistan.

“SERC is dedicated to ensuring a global vision and outlook in all that we do. This project represents us around the world and is a hallmark of our quality teaching and learning. We are proud to be working with Premier Energy to build their capability in the area of renewable energies to meet the skills gap of their region.

Over the course of five days, Ms. Haania Ali got the opportunity to visit SERC’s Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses to see training sessions first hand being conducted as well as the opportunity to meet with Director of CITB-Construction Skills NI David Cooper at SERC’s Professional Skills Centre in Dundrod.

SERC’s International Officer Zia Nazar said “The British Council’s International Skills Partnerships are an innovative way of addressing skills and employability challenges. They bring together organisations from the UK and overseas with similar priorities to share their knowledge and expertise and devise new approaches to skills development.

“This ambitious partnership project is an exciting milestone and recognises our continuing focus on sharing our expertise on a global scale. Our international strategy is to seek opportunities through the development of sustainable global partnerships to meet economic and workforce needs. It is testimony to the growing reputation of SERC that we have been successful in securing this and other successful partnerships throughout the years.”

In 2019, representatives from SERC will travel to Pakistan to focus on the implementation of procedures and best practice going forward.

Speaking about her visit to SERC, Ms Haania Ali said “This training will be crucial in the establishment of the training institute in Pakistan, the well-planned modules have indeed facilitated a vivid understanding of curriculum development, database management and quality assurance procedures significant to the success of any institute. Most importantly the transparency in reporting procedures and evaluation criteria for all courses offered at SERC is indeed commendable and we look forward to implement the same in Pakistan.”

Country Head of Premier Energy Mr. Daniyal Siddiqui said “Train the Trainer” programs are a brilliant way to share knowledge from around the world and bring home best practices. I believe the trend should continue enabling the resources here in Pakistan to excel and disseminate the information and learning to others, leading to both individual and organisational growth.”